The Last Days of This Year's Sailing Adventures

Two long days of sailing from Pancake Creek, first stop Bundaberg, then Turkey Island (off Fraser Island).  Seas were lumpy out of Pancake, but improved closer to Bundaberg, where we anchored, after 12 long hours in the first available spot in the Burnett River.  Our friends from yacht Marilyn, John and Sue came over to say hello, but we were all too tired for sundowners.

Leaving Bundaberg is usually lumpy until you turn south and even at 4 am we had a big cross swell to add to the excitement.  By the time we were near Hervey Bay it was a good downwind run through the channel to Turkey Island, where 7 boats had gathered to avoid the building northerly winds.  The night settled to calm seas and we enjoyed a good long sleep.

Our last day of sailing for this year began with drizzle and light gusty winds.  The tides and currents in Sandy Straits determine the departure time and we were able to take advantage of 2 extra knots of progress.  The winds built again to 20 knots down the strait, as the rain turned everything dull grey.  Even the dolphins, turtles and shorebirds were grey.  It was an easy way to wash the boat. 

At last, near Snapper Creek, the sun broke through but we had to reef the genoa as the wind picked up to 28 knots.  Then a family of dugongs popped up near us - 2 adults and a calf - how special is Tin Can Bay!